I am one of the few people who knew Anand at the very beginning of what would later become the Sattva vision. He was a young man with tremendous charisma, considerable knowledge—though not necessarily wisdom—and an extraordinary ability to turn ideas into reality.

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He was also someone who struggled to receive criticism, resisted opposing viewpoints, and preferred to surround himself with loyal, unquestioning followers—people who admired him, validated him, and rarely challenged his decisions or behavior. Many were reluctant to speak openly because they feared public humiliation, public reprimand, or exclusion from the wider sangha.

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Regarding the recent accusations, I cannot say I am surprised. There is much more I could share, but I have no desire to add fuel to the fire.

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What I find myself reflecting on instead is the dynamic that allowed this situation to develop: Anand's immature leadership and the collective responsibility of those around him. I have witnessed similar patterns around many self-proclaimed spiritual leaders. The script is remarkably consistent: a charismatic leader surrounded by increasingly submissive followers.

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The more important question is this:

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How do we break this cycle?

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At what point do people stop relinquishing their personal authority in the name of "surrender"? In my experience, many of the people around Anand were not practicing surrender; they were practicing submission. Their deference became so extreme that whenever I questioned behavior I found deeply troubling, I could rarely obtain a direct answer.

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The response was almost always the same:

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"Yes, but Anandji said so." - Aditi 

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Or, after I witnessed a devastating episode of verbal abuse directed at a shy, young, new female student in front of the entire sangha—an incident that was heartbreaking to watch—my concerns were met with the following explanation:

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"Oh, Anand was simply in his Shiva energy." - Aditi

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These are not the responses of individuals engaged in conscious spiritual practice. They are the responses of people who have stopped thinking critically, stopped asking questions, and stopped trusting their own discernment. They reflect not the surrender of the ego, but the surrender of personal responsibility.

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This is precisely how unhealthy power structures are sustained: not only through the actions of charismatic leaders, but through the willingness of others to abandon their own judgment and moral accountability.

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I am weary of the "Aditis" and the "Anands" of this world. None of them is a master, an enlightened being, or a guru. They are human beings—imperfect, flawed, and fallible, just like the rest of us. The difference is that some have come to believe, and others have agreed to believe, that they are somehow exceptional.

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I am equally aware of the many Sattva teachers and senior members who chose to look the other way. Some remained silent because proximity to power elevated their own status. Others benefited from the association, gaining credibility, influence, and larger communities of students. When ego and power become intertwined, integrity is often the first casualty.

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My deepest sympathy goes to the women who were harmed—not only by Anand's actions, but also by the silence, rationalizations, and complicity of those who stood by and enabled the environment in which such behavior could continue.

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And each of us must examine the role we play whenever we choose loyalty over truth, submission over discernment, or belonging over integrity.

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May this profound and heartbreaking breakdown serve as the catalyst for a collective awakening and a transformative breakthrough. Only by dismantling unhealthy structures can we create a healthier future.

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Siddhi Ellinghoven